“It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual’s refusal to disclose his social security account number.”

Exceptions

• To comply with another Federal law
• For a computer system in place prior to 1975

In addition, all government agencies must provide a disclosure statement every time they ask for a Social Security Number. That is, whenever a Social Security Number is requested, the electronic or physical form used to collect the number must be clearly marked as to

• whether the request is voluntary or mandatory,
• what authority or legal statute the number is solicited,
• what uses will be made of the Social Security Number, and
• the consequences, if any, of failure to provide the information.